Cellular Jail

4.7

Location: Lecture Hall 2, GB Pant Exit Gate, Atlanta Point, Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands 744104, India.

Estimated Visiting Time: 3 to 4 hours.

Cellular Jail is located in Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a colonial prison in India. The prison is also known as ‘Kala Pani’. The prison was used by the British government to deport political prisoners to distant islands. Diwan Singh Kalepani, Yogendra Shukla, Shadan Chandra Chatterjee, Fazl-e-Haq Khairabadi, Batukeshwar Dutt, Sohan Singh, Hare Krishna Konar etc were imprisoned here during the Independence War. Now it has become a national memorial monument.

Attraction

Cellular Jail is one of the great attractions in India. In the past, many freedom fighters, politicians were imprisoned. The prison is known as the Bastille of India. The jail is a historical place in every point of view. This prison brings a big history that attracts the visitors and makes them thoughtful. People feel curious when they hear the word ‘Kalapani’. Kala was considered to be the inevitable death and Pani means the water which was a reference to the remote location of the prison. Every Saturdays, Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the Light and Sound show takes place, and it publishes in both Hindi and English.

History

The British had seen using the Andaman Islands as a prison since the days following the Indian Rebellion of 1857. After the suppression of the rebellion, the trial of the prisoners began and many were sentenced to death.

In April 1868, 733 people were brought from Karachi, one of whom was the Revenant Henry Fisher Corbyn of the Bengal Ecclesiastical Establishment who established the ‘Andamanese Home’. The Andamanese Home also functioned as a repressive institution in disguise. Then came more prisoners from India and Burma who belonged to the Mughal royal family or who had sent petitions to Bahadur Shah during the rebellion, were exiled to the island. All prisoners associated with the independence movement were separated from the mainland, traveling overseas to islands.

Foreign travel to the island (Kala pani) also threatened the loss of their caste resulting in social exclusion. A high security prison was needed in the late 19th century. Lyall and Leznic suggested that there should be an orderly phase of punishment, which resulted in the formation of Cellular Jail.

Inside/Outside Views

The prison is situated in the Andaman Island and the construction was started in 1896, completed in 1906. External and internal structure is really very eye-catching and mind-blowing. The bricks which used to make the buildings were brought from Burma. The prison has a total of 696 cells, seven wings and no dormitories. The prison is known as ‘Cellular Jail’ which is derived from the solitary cells. The nearby amazing spots are Ross Island (2 km away), Chidiya Tapu, North Bay Island and Jolly Buoy Island.

Opening Hours

All days of the week except Mondays and national holidays. Open at 9am to 12.30pm and 1.30pm to 5pm.

Entry & Others Fees

Rs. 30/- for entry fee, Rs. 50/-for light and sound show, Rs. 200/- for use of camera, Rs. 1000/- for use of video camera, Rs. 10000/- for Film shooting per day with prior permission.

Near Restaurants

Near Hotels

How to Reach

By Air: The nearest airport is Veer Savarkar International Airport which is situated in the capital city Port Blair. After landing you can rent a taxi or auto rickshaw to reach the prison.

By Rail: Train service is not available.

By Road: Port Blair is very well connected to other major cities such as Kolkata, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai etc so you can easily take the buses or rent a car.

Tips for Travellers

As the Cellular Jail Museum closes at 1700 hours so that every visitor needs to plan their visit by selecting a time.
Every traveler should wear cotton clothing and bring extra as there is hot weather here during the day. There is enough food available here so you don’t need to bring food from home.
Basically the Light and Sound Show starts after sunset and is broadcast in both Hindi and English but tickets are limited so advance booking is required.